z-logo
Premium
Injectable conductive hydrogel restores conduction through ablated myocardium
Author(s) -
Zyl Martin,
Pedrotty Dawn M.,
Karabulut Erdem,
Kuzmenko Volodymyr,
Sämfors Sanna,
Livia Christopher,
Vaidya Vaibhav,
Sugrue Alan,
McLeod Christopher J.,
Behfar Atta,
Asirvatham Samuel J.,
Gatenholm Paul,
Kapa Suraj
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/jce.14762
Subject(s) - biomedical engineering , electrical conductor , medicine , ablation , ex vivo , in vivo , thermal conduction , materials science , biocompatibility , biophysics , cardiology , composite material , microbiology and biotechnology , metallurgy , biology
Therapies for substrate‐related arrhythmias include ablation or drugs targeted at altering conductive properties or disruption of slow zones in heterogeneous myocardium. Conductive compounds such as carbon nanotubes may provide a novel personalizable therapy for arrhythmia treatment by allowing tissue homogenization. Methods A nanocellulose carbon nanotube‐conductive hydrogel was developed to have conduction properties similar to normal myocardium. Ex vivo perfused canine hearts were studied. Electroanatomic activation mapping of the epicardial surface was performed at baseline, after radiofrequency ablation, and after uniform needle injections of the conductive hydrogel through the injured tissue. Gross histology was used to assess distribution of conductive hydrogel in the tissue. Results The conductive hydrogel viscosity was optimized to decrease with increasing shear rate to allow expression through a syringe. The direct current conductivity under aqueous conduction was 4.3 × 10 −1  S/cm. In four canine hearts, when compared with the homogeneous baseline conduction, isochronal maps demonstrated sequential myocardial activation with a shift in direction of activation to surround the edges of the ablated region. After injection of the conductive hydrogel, isochrones demonstrated conduction through the ablated tissue with activation restored through the ablated tissue. Gross specimen examination demonstrated retention of the hydrogel within the tissue. Conclusions This proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates that conductive hydrogel can be injected into acutely disrupted myocardium to restore conduction. Future experiments should focus on evaluating long‐term retention and biocompatibility of the hydrogel through in vivo experimentation.

This content is not available in your region!

Continue researching here.

Having issues? You can contact us here